On the GreenBeat: First Solar forecast beats expectations, Bridgelux to move into residential LEDs

Here’s some of the latest action we’re following on the GreenBeat today:

First Solar posts strong forecast, sells Arizona plant to NRG — The top solar panel maker and low-cost leader forecast 2011 profits above Wall Street’s expectations, Reuters reports. It also sold its 290-megawatt Agua Caliente plant to power company NRG Energy for $800 million. First Solar executives said they will continue to beat competitors in cost by around 30 percent, and will spend $1.1 billion to nearly double its production capacity from 1.4 gigawatts to 2.7 gigawatts, Earth2Tech writes.

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EnergyHub looks to raise $12 million — The home energy management company has already closed over $7 million of that amount, according to a filing reported on by Earth2Tech. It is planning a consumer product launch in 2011 after experiencing some delays. The company has also appointed a new director to its board, David Brewster, president of top demand response firm EnerNOC.

Bridgelux to offer home lighting — The commercial lighting LED company plans to expand into selling LED components to light bulb makers for the residential market, Greentech media reports. It’s an attractive market for LEDs because no retrofits are needed to install LED lightbulbs into homes, and prices are steadily dropping, CEO Bill Watkins says, and retailers like Ikea are very interested in carrying LED bulbs.

Sungevity raises $15 million — The residential solar financing company plans to use the money to expand to the Northeast. Sungevity uses a model that, like SolarCity and SunRun, leases solar systems to residents for little to no money down, then charges them for the cost of power generated. In Sungevity’s case, it uses an Internet-based model that crunches satellite images and other Internet-based data to give potential customers quotes within 24 hours, and allows them to handle the paperwork electronically.